Lead

What is it?
Lead is a metal found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products.

Where does it come from?
Historically, the major source of lead has been from leaded gasoline in motor vehicles and industries. Currently, the major contributor of this pollutant are metal processing plants, since the phase out of leaded gasoline. The highest levels of lead in air are generally found near lead smelters.

How is it harmful?The members of our population that have the greatest effects of high levels of lead are children. Although overall blood lead levels have decreased since 1976, infants and young children still have the highest blood lead levels. Children and others can be exposed to lead not only through the air, but also through accidentally or intentionally eating soil or paint chips, as well as food or water contaminated with lead. Some potential human health effects include:

Kidney damage

Liver damage

Brain and nerve damage

Osteoporosis

Reproductive disorders

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Anemia

What's being done to help?
In 1975, unleaded gasoline was introduced for motor vehicles equipped with catalytic converters and in December 1995 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of leaded gasoline in highway vehicles.

The EPA currently has a quarterly standard for lead set at 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). These standards are subject to change as updated scientific information is obtained on the effects of this pollutant on human health.